Bryant Murder Trial

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It was day two Wednesday (9/12) for the trial of a Noxubee County man charged with murder.

Dareious “Rico” Bryant, 32, was charged with murder back in May 2009. The shooting happened in Shuqalak at the Beehive café.

LeMarco Tate, 22, was shot in the chest and later died at Nouxbee General Hospital.

In court Wednesday afternoon, Mississippi medical examiner Lisa Funte took the stand. She described how the bullet went in Le Marco’s chest, hit his heart, traveled through his left lung and then exited out through his back.

The most memorable testimony Wednesday came from “Rico” himself. Bryant took the stand saying he did not shoot anyone.

According to Bryant, he was inside the café when he heard that his younger brother, Deon Bryant, was getting into an altercation.

Bryant then recalls coming out of the cafe and saw his brother punch another man. Immediatley following that punch is when Bryant claims he heard the gunshots.

Several other witnesses took stand saying they saw Bryant fire a gun. Other witnesses say that they only heard the gunshots but did not see the shooter.

Byrant’s younger brother Deon, is charged as an accessory after the fact but is not on trial at this time.

The trial will resume Thursday morning at 9. There will be closing arguments before the case goes to the jury.